The Latest
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The freedom to speak:
the John Wall Voices Act
by Faith Harron, sophomore Century High School Century Star newsmagazine The Constitution of the United States guarantees all are created free and equal and endowed with the same rights. When it comes to journalism, though, many high school and college students are not equal to their adult counterparts. Some a few in North Dakota are trying…
Documenting biodiversity in Chicagoland
Third in a 10 part series of student journalists Making a Difference In Carolyn Fritts journalistic writing course, at Glenbard West High School, in Glen Ellyn, Ill., she requires students to a research local topic and produce a comprehensive film documentary as their final exam. Students set out to discover what happens to Chicago when…
North Dakota introduces legislation
to protect student expression
With North Dakota’s introduction of a freedom of expression bill Jan. 19, student journalists in other states might want to know how to work on legislation in their states. The John Wall New Voices Act is designed to protect student First Amendment rights both public high schools and public and private colleges. Seven states have passed…
Scholastic journalists often
face demands like Delauter’s
by Mark Goodman I strongly encourage every student publication adviser being told his or her students can’t use names or photos in their print or online publications because of FERPA (or some other manufactured privacy justification) to read the Frederick News Post’s editorial on this crazy Frederick County council member, Kirby Delauter, and his demand…
There’s a reason we need to
‘be bold and stand firm’
by Stan Zoller The 18-word Tweet said it all. “This attack on freedom of speech and freedom of press must not be tolerated. Be bold. Stand firm.” And so it is, another militant organization seeks to spew its venom on innocent people because of ideological differences. This one goes far beyond the offices of Charlie…
Working together can make a difference
by Stan Zoller, MJE Maybe we should take a cue from our brethren in sports. Let’s win one for the Gipper. All for one and one for all. “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi As…
Issues worth building lessons around
As we head into a break for the holidays, three issues and concepts stand out as worth some future consideration. • The First Amendment: In the land of the free, why are schools afraid of freedom by Charles Haynes. Written by this First Amendment advocate following the JEA/NSPA Washington, DC, convention, the column challenges us all…
Set a good example: Credit others’ work
by Candace Perkins Bowen, MJE Part 2 of a 2-part blog on teacher plagiarism and copyright issues As the first part of this series noted, we teachers can sometimes be the most innocent thieves. That lesson plan we found online, the handout with another teacher’s name whited out, the great final project – when are…
December 15 deadline for FAFPA Award application
by John Bowen The deadline is approaching for application for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA). If your staffs have received a Pacemaker or Gold Crown, FAPFA is the next logical step in recognizing journalistic excellence and practice of First Amendment guarantees. In its 15th year, the recognition is designed to identify and recognize high…
How to handle the gun story
by Jane Blystone Advisers who have asked how to localize stories about guns need look no further. The HiLite staff at Carmel High School (Ind.) show student journalists how to handle such a story package. Adviser Jim Streisel shared “My HiLite students wanted to localize the issue of guns for our student readers by discussing…
‘Broken Glass’ should serve as a solemn reminder
Lessons of Kristallnacht go beyond the history books by Stan Zoller Imagine if you will, that one day your administration comes in and without cause, dismantles your journalism classroom, publication office, and burns every copy of your newspaper and yearbook. Then, without provocation or notice, the administration corralls your student media staff and yourself and…
Apply now for national First Amendment award
by John Bowen Applications are now available for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA). In its 15th year, the recognition is designed to identify and recognize high schools that actively support and protect First Amendment rights of their students and teachers. The honor focuses on press freedoms. The application can be completed by using…